Professor Henrique J. de Souza, President of the Brazilian Theosophical Society and a leading authority on the Subterranean World, in his magazine, published an article he wrote, 'Does Shangri-la Exist?' from which we quote.

Among all races of mankind, back to the dawn of time, there existed a tradition concerning the existence of a Sacred Land or Terrestrial Paradise, where the highest ideals of humanity were living realities.

This concept is found in the most ancient writings and traditions of the peoples of Europe, Asia Minor, China, India, Egypt and the Americas. This Sacred Land, it is said, can be known only to persons who are worthy, pure and innocent, for which reason it constitutes the central theme of the dreams of childhood. 'The road that leads to this Blessed Land, this Invisible World, this Esoteric and Occult Domain, constitutes the central quest and master key of all mystery teachings and systems of initiation in the past, present and future. This magic key is the 'Open Sesame' that unlocks the door to a new and marvelous world. The old Rosicrucians designated it by the French word VITRIOL, which is a combination of the first letters of the sentence: `VISTA INTERIORA TERRAE RECTIFICANDO INYENES OMNIA LAPIDEM,' to indicate that 'in the interior of the earth is hidden the true MYSTERY.' The path that leads to this Hidden World is the Way of Initiation.

So, in effect, V.I.T.R.I.O.L., if researched by the new initiate, represents the idea that they will be acquiring "the true mystery" that can be found "in the interior of the earth."

In traditional terms, the interior of the Earth is associated with Hell – a realm of darkness and evil. Obviously anyone exposed to this teaching is going to wonder if that's what they meant by V.I.T.R.I.O.L.